Photo: Juvaune Benjamin (left) and Fabian McCarthy
With 24 days to go before the start of the World Cup in Brazil, the football world is about to hit fever pitch. Here in Jamaica however, local football is about to crown the champion of its Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) for the 2013-2014 season.
The form team, Waterhouse FC, winners of the regular season, will go up against the only team from the western side of the island, Montego Bay United, for a chance to be crowned the best football team in Jamaica.
The last time these two teams met in the final was way back in the 1997/98 campaign when Waterhouse dethroned the defending champions, then Seba United, preventing them from repeating as champions. Back then the likes of Irvino English, Kevin Lamey and Damion Powell help the Drewsland based team lift their first National Premier League title.
Waterhouse went on to win the title again in the 2005/06 season and boasts the same number of titles as their opponents in tonight’s final.
Playing under a new name, Montego Bay United has seen a change in fortune for the club from the west spurred-on by the visionary Orville Powell. Overcoming detractors to the name change and forging ahead with his plans has seen the resurrection of a ‘dead club’ Seba United, back to the pinnacle of Jamaican football.
Mobay United will feel they have a date with destiny as they seek to end a 17 year drought without a Premier League title. Blessed with talent and strength throughout the team, they have in goal Jacomeno Barrett, one of the best custodians in the country.
He showed in the first leg semi-final against Harbour View just how deadly his distribution can be when his accurate long ball resulted in a goal for his team, seconds after he had pulled off a miraculous save. Mobay United went on to draw the game coming from 2-0 down before securing the win at Wespow Park to get into the final.
They boast a solid backline and in midfield has one of the best players in the country in Fabian McCarthy. He has been ably supported by Omar Gordon, Allan Ottey and Dino Williams who has been in red hot form in front of goal.
Mobay will be confident of victory and their fans are expected to turn out in numbers at the National Stadium, in full support of their team that plays some really good football.
Waterhouse matches up nicely with opponents and their goalkeeper Richard “Spoon” McCallum is no slouch between the sticks himself. His quick distribution is a key feature of his game and the ability to organize his defence has been crucial all season for “Firehouse”.
The youthful squad is marshalled by Nicholy Findlayson at centre back with national representative Romario “Rom Rom” Campbell getting better and better in his midfield role. Utility player Hughan Gray has been used in defence, midfield and forward this season scoring vital goals and proving to have nerves of steel from the penalty spot. He has scored all five of his attempts so far this season and will be looking to add to this tally if the opportunity arises.
Captain Damarley Samuels has embraced the role left vacant by the departure of Jermaine “Tuffy” Anderson. Waterhouse will be hoping that he finds the back of the net because when he scores they do not lose. Forwards Juvaune Benjamin and Kemroy Howell have been among the goals and will hold no fear going up against the Mobay United defense. They will be without their ‘X-Factor’ Vincent Earle because of suspension. Since his return from injury, he had brought stability and a sense of assurance in midfield which could perhaps win the game for Waterhouse. He has not featured in any of the games between these two teams this season and now misses out on the big occasion. The last time these two teams met Waterhouse came from behind to win 2-1 at home, after losing the first and drawing the second game.
Since Anthony Patrick took over the reigns at the start of the year, the team has gone a total of 23 games unbeaten, (20 in the RSPL) and he has them playing a very exciting brand of football.
The final may come down to team tactics and execution. It should be a very close encounter however which means a moment of brilliance or silly mistake may just decide the destination of the Premier League title.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login